The Alchemist Archive Podcast

Ozobot just might have one of the coolest (and cutest) products for K-12 learning anywhere! Ozobot is an edtech company, meaning most of their customers are primary and secondary schools. Ozobot collaborated with educators and school systems around the world to design a tech tool and lessons that are integrated into core curriculum for math, reading, science, and more. Plus, with two ways to code–on screens with blocks and screen-free with colors–the company’s robots put the A in STEAM and give children the tools to create with technology. Nader Hamda, Founder and CEO of Ozobot, explains how his own children inspired the initial concept for Ozobot.

To learn more, visit www.ozobot.com. 

Note: Industry Alchemist is working to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This episode was recorded on 6/23/20 during a zoom call, rather than an in-person interview using podcast equipment; therefore, you may notice a difference in the quality of sound. 

In this new era of connectivity, computer networks now have a greater strategic and economic impact than ever. Existing physical and virtual network appliances are extremely complex and are failing to meet the demands of data centers and their customers to have simple, scalable, and evolvable connectivity solutions. Stateless’ mission is to make network connectivity simple. It was founded by Murad Kablan and Eric Keller in 2017 as a spinoff of their Ph.D. research. Stateless software platform enables data center operators to easily define and build a portfolio of elegant network connectivity solutions that can be cost-effectively productized and operationalized at scale. Stateless is proudly based in Boulder, Colorado. Murad Kablan describes in layman’s terms how it all works. He also explains some of the triumphs and pitfalls of starting a new business. Learn more at www.stateless.net.

Note: Industry Alchemist is working to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This episode was created on 6/18/20 with a Zoom call, rather than our usual in-person interviews using podcast equipment. However, you may notice a difference in the quality of sound and format.

Dave Bacon is the Founder and CEO of BWBacon Group, a technology staffing company niched in finding software development, mobile, systems, and product talent for many of Denver’s innovative tech companies. Dave founded BWB nineteen years ago in his basement! Since 2009, BWB has grown into the agency it is today with eleven team members housed at Battery 621. In this episode, Dave discusses some of the changes that have been implemented in his company since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of their methodologies, they have been able to quickly adjust AND help their clients adjust to the constant shifts in business practices during the pandemic.

For additional information about Dave’s company, please visit bwbacon.com.

Note: Industry Alchemist is working to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This episode was recorded on 4/2/20 with a Zoom call, rather than our usual in-person interviews using podcast equipment.  However, you may notice a difference in the quality of sound and format.

What does it take to build a great business? What sort of leadership do prosperous companies have? How do you stay inspired and stay focused as an entrepreneur? Would it be better to offer more products/services or stay focused on providing the product/service that you do best?  As an entrepreneur, these puzzling questions may flash through your mind from time to time.  Liz Giorgi, Founder and CEO of both Mighteor and Soona, has contemplated those very questions herself and shares her wisdom on this episode of Industry Alchemist.

But first, before you listen, let’s give you a little background about Liz’s companies.  Mighteor creates highly impactful custom video ads; conceivably containing a script, actors, animation, music, and set at a desired location. Mighteor blends the best of every detail together to create a very well-polished ad.  For a more casual, custom ad, requiring a swift turnaround that is also affordable, containing skilled photography within the studio or a less formal video production; Soona can get it done in 24 hours and the customer can direct the production from the comfort of their own office!

For more information about Mighteor and Soona, please visit mighteor.com and Soona.co.

Note: Industry Alchemist is working to comply with city mandates to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This episode was created on 4/2/20 with a Zoom call, rather than our usual in-person interviews using podcast equipment.  You may notice a difference in the quality of sound compared to other episodes.

“I help people give themselves permission to show up exactly as they are.” -Erin Weed

Erin is the Creator of The Dig and Founder of EVOSO. She is a TEDx speaker and coaches other TED and TEDx speakers. (Erin is also the Founder of Girls Fight Back, a woman's violence prevention company she launched after the murder of her college friend).

Erin feels that everyone has a story and a message that the world needs to hear. The Dig is her method for finding the ONE WORD that describes your life purpose and message.  EVOSO (short for "Evolution Society") takes what is discovered through The Dig a step further for public leaders/speakers who want to lead with their words from the stage and give authentic talks.

Listen as Matt (the host of the show) makes a discovery about himself while recording the interview, inspired by the conversation with Erin! She’s that good.

For additional information about Erin, beyond this episode, please visit erinweed.com.

Note: Industry Alchemist is working to comply with city mandates to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This episode was created on 3/31/20 with a Zoom call, rather than our usual in-person interviews using podcast equipment.  You may notice a difference in the quality of sound compared to other episodes.

Katherine Wells is the Founder and CEO of Serenity Engage.  The inception of Serenity Engage came at a difficult time when her mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, needed additional care; and her father, who had type II diabetes, leaned on Katherine for care.  Working full time, with a family of her own, and trying to care for her parents, Katherine eventually made the decision to find long term care for her parents.  She quickly experienced the massive communication gaps between herself and the senior care staff, which hindered the quality of care that was provided. It was then that she decided to borrow some concepts from the corporate world and make them domain-specific for the complex senior care industry. In this episode, Katherine tells Matt about her journey and how families and care providers can begin to connect and collaborate to improve the care of loved ones. Serenity Engage is offering free trials during the COVID-19 lockdown! Go to serenityengage.com to learn more. Katherine is also the co-host of the podcast show, Mavericks of Senior Living. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts!

Note: Industry Alchemist is working to comply with city mandates to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This episode was created on 3/31/20 with a Zoom call, rather than our usual in-person interviews using podcast equipment.  You may notice a difference in the quality of sound and format.

When the cannabis industry was beginning to boom in Colorado, Josh Whitaker, already a seasoned marketing pro and entrepreneur, recognized this new industry had a critical need for his skill and experience.  So, in 2015, Josh launched Team Maryjane, a company focused on developing and promoting cannabis brands, offering full-scale and fractional marketing packages.  Team Maryjane soon managed to learn savvy tricks-of-the-trade to assist with sales, distribution, and order fulfillment specifically for CBD brands.  Thus, Josh launched another company in 2019 dedicated exclusively to handling CBD clients. Fully Amplified is the first fully outsourced operations company for CBD brands! They have cultivated the best way to maximize their clients’ revenues and minimize expenses, hence “fully amplifying” every CBD brand.  In this episode, Josh imparts how he plowed through the last several years of hard work building both niche marketing companies, navigated by his passion for marketing and incredible entrepreneurial spirit. (And somehow, through all of this, he still found the time to volunteer!)

For additional information about Team Maryjane and Fully Amplified, please visit teammaryjane.com and fullyamplified.com.

Businesses come in all different sizes and stages. It doesn’t always make sense to have a full-time CFO or accountant on staff. Therefore, fractional CFO services are a great option for many companies because the services can be tailored specifically to each company and save them money.  In this episode, Matt speaks with Dan DeGolier, Founder and CEO of Ascent CFO Solutions. Ascent CFO provides parceled services such as financial modeling, cash flow forecasting, funding/capital strategy, outsourced CFO services, general accounting, and M&A support for early-stage and established businesses. (Please note: This episode was recorded on 2/26/20 and references the novel coronavirus, when there were only 15 confirmed cases in the US and there was not yet a major effect on the public or the economy).

For additional information about Ascent CFO beyond this podcast episode, please visit ascentcfo.com.  

#FractionalCFO #CFOForHire #startups #scaleups #strategy #growthCFO

There are several ways to price professional services rendered and charging customers or clients for the time spent is a common approach. However, placing value on time rather than the service itself, often provokes us to ration every cent and consequently we may not receive optimum services. Stan Doida, Founder and Attorney at Doida Law Group is working to reframe the value of legal services so that clients can reap the maximum benefits of legal counsel, rather than fragmented or inaccurate counsel based on a very limited scope of information provided to the attorney. Stan's firm offers fixed fees which gives clients price certainty from the start and allows for a deeper, more strategic relationship. In this episode, Stan points out that taking time out of the equation of billing is mutually beneficial for the client and attorney because it encourages the client to provide the entire scope of a situation and as a result, the attorney can offer exceptional counsel. Listen to learn more about how the Doida Law Group is disrupting the legal industry and about the services they offer in Business and Finance Law.

For additional information about Doida Law Group, please visit www.doidalaw.com.

Today’s guest is a business owner in the survivalist industry and an author of a new book called, “The Turnaround Gift.” His company, Survival Frog, provides information about emergency preparedness as well as a source for survival and outdoor gear (for times like the present COVID-19 pandemic). Several years ago, the survivalist industry experienced a downturn in sales and he had to quickly adapt to the changes. During this time, he learned invaluable lessons about how to make quick strategic decisions, scrutinize every area of operations to improve efficiency, as well as how to remain objective during a time when emotions are running high. And he came out on the other side of the downturn, confident that his company is able to weather any storm, economic or otherwise. Listen as Byron Walker, Founder and CEO of Survival Frog, outlines several suggestions for entrepreneurs currently struck with a massive downturn in business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information about Survival Frog and emergency preparedness, please visit www.survivalfrog.com.